Continuous wipe-out clocks

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to timing devices. It is an aim of this invention to produce a timing device which provides a pictorial representation of the passage of time. This is achieved by defining a point in time by an interface between two adjacent surfaces of contrasting shades, and enabling this interface to move at a substantially constant speed which is related to the passage of time. The interface can thus &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;wipe out&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; the previously visible surface and replace it with another.

United States Patent Ebdon Mar. 12, 1974 [5 CONTINUOUS WIPE-OUT CLOCKS1,877,732 9 1932 Dreyfuss 58/127 R 2,011,517 8/1935 Geoffrion..." 58/127R [76] mentor: Rmald w'ulam Ebdon 7O Vectls 2,547,468 4/1951 l-lussey58/126 R Rd, P L England 2,785,530 3/1957 Mayer.... 58/126 A Filed June7 1972 3,616,643 11/1971 Maue 58/127 R PP N01 14 PrimaryExaminer-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant ExaminerU. Weldon [30] ForeignAppucafion Priority Dam Attorney, Agent, or FirmMolinare, Allegretti,Newitt June 13, 1971 Great Britain 9239/71 & W

52 US. Cl. 58/127 R, 58/126 R ABSTRACT 23; gf 'ld 'f 22 12 Thisinvention relates to timing devices. 1 W 8 5 62 It is an aim of thisinvention to produce a timing 132 g l 1 46 E device which provides apictorial representation of the R A 128 B C passage of time. This isachieved by defining a point in time by an interface between twoadjacent surfaces of l 56] References Cited contrasting shades, andenabling this interface to move at a substantially constant speed whichis related UNITED STATES PATENTS to the passage of time. The interfacecan thus wipe 183,019 10/1876 PhilllpS 58/125 R out the previouslyvisible urface and replace it 349,878 9/1886 Garcia..... 58/125 R h1.806678 5/1931 Farkas 40/62 1,846,928 2 1932 Willens 40/33 10 Claims,10 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAR 1 2 I974 SHEET 1 0F 4 PATENTEDHAR 12 m43. 796, 043 sum 3 nr 4 air-9604s PATENTEIJMAR 12 I974 SHEET [1F 4CONTINUOUS WIPE-OUT CLOCKS This invention relates to timing devices.

It is an aim of this invention to produce a timing device which providesa pictorial representation of the passage of time. This is achieved bydefining a point in time by an interface between two adjacent surfacesof contrasting shades, and enabling this interface to move at asubstantially constant speed which is related to the passage of time.The interface can thus wipe out the previously visible surface andreplace it with another.

The interface would normally move in a circular arc and the movementwould becontrolled by some conventional means such as a pin pallet leverescapement mechanism associated with a rotational axis related to themovement of the interface. The are can of course, be a complete circleand is conveniently surrounded by a scale defining units of time.

The mode of the invention may be included in a clock, designed forcontinuous running, or for a timer,

designed only for occasional use. In the latter case it is an aim of theinvention to provide a simple mechanical means of providing the motion.Such means might be a rack and pinion, the rack being moveable by thecontrolled absorption of potential energy. This may be achieved bycontrolling the movement of a falling weight, this movement causing themotion of the interface. To initiate this movement the weight may beraised from the rest position to a predetermined height and thenreleased. The raising means, weight, and drive means may be so designedthat movement of the raising means can reset the device and also, ifrequired, the lever may arrest all motion of the device if held in acertain position.

A device according to the invention particularly suitable for use as atimer can comprise two coaxial helical surfaces each of small andsubstantially equal-pitch, one fixed with its axis horizontal, the othermounted for axial rotation such that on rotation the other screws intothe one, the leading edge of the other surface defining the interface.The extent of the inter-engagement of the surfaces can convenientlydefine a predetermined period of time, for example,'] minute.

A device according to the invention suitable for use as a clock designedfor continuous running may comprise a dial clock having a face includinga plurality of petals (as herein defined), each one of which has atleast two faces of contrasting shades and is mounted for rotation inresponse to movement of the clock hands.

A petal, as used herein, means a tapered elongate member, a plurality ofwhich may be mounted contiguously to present an arcuate section. Thesection may be part of, or the whole of, an annulus. It may coversubstantially the whole of a disc surface. Petals may be arrangedco-extensively in groups of two or more to provide circular arcuatesections of different radii.

In the embodiment of the invention designed for continuous running eachpetal is provided with a toothed wheel at one end which engages with acorresponding member on a clock hand as the clock hand passes adjacentthe petal. The clock wouldv normally have two hands each beingassociated with a corresponding group of petals. The hands could be anhour hand and a minute hand.

In order that a petal may rotate without interfering with a stationaryadjacent petal, the cross-section of each petal is preferably in theform of a pin-cushion distortion. In this way the presented surface doesnot present discontinuities as a petal rotates. Thus one face is wipedout and replaced by another without any large gaps appearing in eitherpresented face. With this in mind a continuous running clock accordingto the invention has a dial face comprising a plurality of petalswherein each petal has sides of different colours and is shaded in thesame way, the petals being so arranged on the clock face that one shadeis presented on one side of the hand and another shade is presented onthe other side.

The invention will be better understood when considered in the followingtwo examples and reference will be made to the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of face general assembly in one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a section of FIG. 1 at arrows DD (rack is on reverse side); I

FIG. 3 is a rear view of FIG. 1 with back cover cut through to revealcontents;

FIG. 4 is a scrap view of sliding dogs in seconds dial drive of theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows the face general assembly of another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 shows a section through FIG. 5 at arrows A-A;

FIG. 7 is a part view in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6; the backingcover plate and the hour wheels cover plate are removed;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the four sided seconds petalswith gear part cut away to emphasize the concaved faces of theembodiment in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a part view in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 7 showing thegear end of three petals and the semicircular rack pad at the end of thecranked arm; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one of the two sided seconds petals inthe embodiment of FIG. 5.

One embodiment of the invention might be a l minute wipe-out clock facein seconds.

The main drive (FIG. 2) l is provided with its motion by means of a rack2 and pinion 3. A weight 4 providing the energy and is contained withinslots 5 to prevent undue movement. The drive 1 which is controlled toone revolution per minute by means of a pin pallet lever escapement ofconventional design (not shown) is fed through a slipping clutch 6 whichenables the rack 2 and weight 4 to be reset by the lever 7 after thepassing of 1 minute, during which time the weight 4 will have reachedthe bottom.

The outer section of the clutch 6 is continued in the form of two dogs 8(FIG. 4) which have a trapezoidal form to provide minimum frictionalcontact with the slots 9 in the seconds dial 10. The dogs 8 rotate theseconds dial 10 which is of helical form with a pitch of 7 mm. The clockface 11 which is injection moulded, defines in the center portion acorresponding helical fixed dial 11 of the same pitch and the secondsdial I0 is therefore screwed through the helical fixed dial por-,

tion 11 clock face 11 by its rotary motion. The clock face being whiteand the seconds dial of a dark colour gives the impression of a circularincreasing band moving round the clock face until after 1 minute it iscontinuous.

To enable the seconds dial to screw through the clock face lll withouttouching any faces and to provide absolute minimum friction it is alsocarried on a front shell bearing 12 which is secured in a transparentcover 13 and is provided with a single helical groove 14!- of 7 mm.pitch in which a pin 15 slides. The pin 15 is secured in the boss of theseconds dial 10 and thus guides it accurately and with the minimum offriction through the clock face.

The reset lever 7 serves the double purpose of resetting the motion andif it is squeezed sideways against its slot it will arrest the motion ofthe seconds dial.

Minimum friction is necessary with this mechanism, therefore, the parts10, 8, 12 2 and 3 should preferably be made from acetal, nylon orsimilar low friction engineering plastics. Maximum clearance between thedogs 8 and the slots 9 (FIG. 4) is necessary for the angled contactedges 16.

The aim of this mechanism is to provide an instructive short timepiecefor children to handle with safety, simple to operate (one lever) and noelectricity or clockwork mechanisms.

An additional push on clock face is provided to convert the 60 seconddial to a normal 12 hour clock face to show the relationship betweenthem.

Another embodiment of the invention could take the form of a continuouswipe-out clock face for 12 hour working (in seconds).

Continuous wipe-out is achieved by means ofa transparent injectionmoulded face (FIG. 6) 31 on which the usual 60 minute divisions and 12hours are printed or a separate face may be bonded on to the peripheryat 32, each minute sector is represented by an individual petal 33 whichmay have two, three or four faces of different colours.

The 60 petals are located in pockets top 34 and bottom 35 by means oftheir studs (FIG. 6). The narrow end of the petal has a stud with two,three or four flats 36 on its 0 D (FIG. 8) (according to the number offaces) which are engaged by fingers blanked out of a thin circularspring steel plate 37, this applies gentle pressure to locate the facesof the petals after they have been turned on their axis. The stud at thewide end 34 of the petal is retained to revolve freely in its slot bythe backup cover moulding 38.

The main drive 39, which revolved once per minute, has a cranked arm 40with integral counter balance 41, the tip of the arm 40 is provided witha semicircular pad 42 with cycloidal gear teeth to engage with the gearsat the large end of each petal 43, According to the number of faces onthe petals, i.e. two, three or four, so the length of the pad will bedetermined, it being sufficient to provide one-half, one-third oronefourth of a turn to each petal as it passes on its circular path.After it has passed each petal they are retained in line with the clockface by the aforementioned fingers of the spring steel plate 37 lightlypressing on the flats 36 provided around the bottom stud. Thus it willbe seen that after each complete revolution of the'arm (1 minute) theface will commence to wipe-out the previously built-up colour face witha different colour.

The main 1 rpm. drive 39 is fed through suitable reduction gearing 44 toa secondary piped spindle 45 for the minute hand and a further train ofreduction gears 46 to the tubular mounted hour hand 47.

The main drive may be provided by means of a synchronous electric motorsuitable geared or by a clock mechanism (not shown).

The petal faces may well carry a printed message or other suitableemblems or symbols for the purpose of information or advertising. Themessage thus building up during the passing minute and a fresh messagethen commencing while the former is wiped out. Up to four messages arepossible.

It will be noted that the faces of the three and four faced petals areconcaved to enable them to turn freely (FIG. 9) but the two sided petalsmay be flat faced (FIG. 10) 18.

The invention may be usefully used for teaching purposes demonstratingthe importance of time.

I claim:

1. A timing device comprising a housing, a bearing member having ahelical groove, a fixed dial, a movable, rotatable dial, and a pinsecured to the rotatable dial adapted to engage said groove, each dialhaving a helical form and coaxially positioned relative to the bearingmember, the rotatable dial being mounted for rotation in the housing andconstrained to move through the fixed dial by said pin secured to therotatable dial and engaging the helical groove formed in the bearingmember and, means for imparting rotation to the movable dial.

2. A device according to claim ll wherein the movable dial comprises aboss having two eccentric axial passages, which passages are adapted toreceive two dogs of a rotatable drive member.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the dogs are of trapezoidalcross-section to minimize friction during relative axial movement of thedogs and passages.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the means for impartingrotation to the movable dial comprises means to provide potential energyto a rack and pinion, the rack being movable by the controlledabsorption of potential energy.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the means to provide thepotential energy comprises a weight attached to such rack releasablyheld at a predetermined height.

6. A device according to claim 5 including means for raising the weightto the predetermined height and subsequently releasing said weight.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the apparatus includes meansfor arresting all motion of the dev1ce.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein said fixed dial and movabledial comprise first and second coaxial helical surfaces respectively,each of small and substantially equal pitch, the first surface fixedwith its axis horizontal, the second surface mounted for axial rotationto screw into the first surface on rotation whereby the leading edge ofthe second surface defines a moving interface.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the maximum extent of theinter-engagement of the surfaces defines a predetermined period of time.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the period of time is 1minute.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 796 043Dated March 12. 1974 l Ronald William Ebdon It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

The above patent assigned to E. S. PERRY LIMITED Signed and Ewalcd thisA ttes t:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ofPatentsand Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPatent No '7 4? Dated March 12. 1974 Inventorg) Ronald William Ebdon Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: O

The above patent assigned to E. S. PERRY LIMITED d 1 d h Engncd an Sea 6t 15 sixth D y of January 1976 [SEAL] Q Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Parentsand Trademarks

1. A timing device comprising a housing, a bearing member having ahelical groove, a fixed dial, a movable, rotatable dial, and a pinsecured to the rotatable dial adapted to engage said groove, each dialhaving a helical form and coaxially positioned relative to the bearingmember, the rotatable dial being mounted for rotation in the housing andconstrained to move through the fixed dial by said pin secured to therotatable dial and engaging the helical groove formed in the bearingmember and, means for imparting rotation to the movable dial.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein the movable dial comprises a bosshaving two eccentric axial passages, which passages are adapted toreceive two dogs of a rotatable drive member.
 3. A device according toclaim 1 wherein the dogs are of trapezoidal cross-section to minimizefriction during relative axial movement of the dogs and passages.
 4. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein the means for imparting rotation tothe movable dial comprises means to provide potential energy to a rackand pinion, the rack being movable by the controlled absorption ofpotential energy.
 5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the means toprovide the potential energy comprises a weight attached to such rackreleasably held at a predetermined height.
 6. A device according toclaim 5 including means for raising the weight to the predeterminedheight and subsequently releasing said weight.
 7. A device according toclaim 6 wherein the apparatus includes means for arresting all motion ofthe device.
 8. A device according to claim 1 wherein said fixed dial andmovable dial comprise first and second coaxial helical surfacesrespectively, each of small and substantially equal pitch, the firstsurface fixed with its axis horizontal, the second surface mounted foraxial rotation to screw into the first surface on rotation whereby theleading edge of the second surface defines a moving interface.
 9. Adevice according to claim 8 wherein the maximum extent of theinter-engagement of the surfaces defines a predetermined period of time.10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the period of time is 1minute.